Perpetua Murungweni

MASVINGO – In a shameless and embarrassing move, Zanu PF bigwigs in Masvingo province have proved wrong the former national war vets chair Jabulani Sibanda who once claimed that power is not sexually transmitted after they seconded their wives to take up the women quota seats in local authorities that were recently created in order to increase women participation in both politics and development.
Sibanda once claimed during the height of Zanu PF factional wars that power is never sexually transmitted when the former President Robert Mugabe seemed like he wanted his wife Grace to take over from him.
However, Mugabe must be turning in his grave now as investigations by TellZim revealed that some senior Zanu PF members in Masvingo province have influenced the appointment of their wives through the women quota system for local authorities.
Deputy Minister of finance and economic development Clemence Chiduwa who is the newly elected Zaka South MP and Zaka District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairperson respectively, has his wife, Fungai Maregedze appointed into Zaka RDC through the women quota slots.
Chiduwa was co-opted into the provincial executive in 2019 after his bid to contest for the then Zaka East constituency hit a brick wall after he failed to meet the selection criteria. He was then later co-opted into the provincial executive after lobbying and subsequently made it to Parliament through by-election following the death of Casper Gumbwanda.
It is alleged that Chiduwa used his powerful DCC position to influence the appointment of his wife to become councilor through the quota system.
Chief Nhema, born Rangarirayi Bwawanda, now senator and a staunch Zanu PF stalwart is also alleged to have influenced the selection of his wife Portia Gwese as a councilor at Zaka RDC through the women quota system. The bootlicking Chief Nhema, of course unthoughtfully and unreasonably, once promised President Emmerson Mnangagwa five million votes from Zaka alone during the run up to elections yet the whole district and country had about 800 000 and 6.6 million registered voters respectively.
In Chiredzi Town Council, one of the three elected councilors Sekai Njanjure is former Chiredzi Town council Chairperson and Zanu PF losing candidate for Chiredzi Central Francis Moyo’s sister in-law (Younger sister to his wife) whilst in Masvingo District, Masvingo West MP and former Minister of State Ezra Chadzamira’s wife also made it into Masvingo RDC through the women quota.
Investigations by TellZim revealed that nepotism and corruption allegations were some of the key reasons that saw Moyo being rejected by the electorate in Chiredzi Central Constituency because Zanu PF members who were more senior felt cheated and instigated ‘bhora musango’.
In Chivi District, a husband and wife will be in council chambers after Jacob Magando was elected in Ward 25 while his wife Fungai Chinjekure got in through women’s quota.
Many ordinary people who spoke to TellZim condemned the level of nepotism saying Zanu PF has completely ruined a noble idea by government which was meant to empower and increase women participation in both politics and development of local communities as the opportunity is now being used by powerful politicians for self-aggrandizement.
Zanu PF provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa said there was nothing amiss about big wigs wives getting into council saying each one used his or her party card membership to get into positions.
“There is nothing wrong with that, all those women who won used their membership to get in positions. They simply applied or contested and if they qualify what is wrong with that. At national level we have the Mutsvangwas (Chris and Monica) who both hold bigger positions and are very active in in the party and government,” said Mavhenyengwa.
Analysts condemned nepotism saying it disadvantages women with potential who want to take up these leadership positions as those that are related to the powerful ones get first preference.
Political commentator Dr Wellington Gadzikwa said though there are no laws that prohibits couples from getting into positions of influence, morally it was not good and promotes corruption.
“There is no law that prohibits couples from occupying those positions, however, under normal circumstances it should not be allowed because it promotes corruption. There are a number of capable people even in Zanu PF who could occupy those positions even better. So it shows that it’s no longer about serving people but access to resources,” Dr Gadzikwa said.
In a move aimed at increasing women’s representation in local authorities, the government introduced the women’s quota system which has seen women elected into council through proportional representation.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) introduced women’s quota in local authorities as calculated figures representing 30percent of the total members of each local authority for the purpose of reserving them for women party-list councilors in accordance of the section 277 (4) of the constitution.
A total 73 women have since been elected into nine local authorities in Masvingo province. Bikita RDC has 10, Gutu RDC 12, Chivi RDC 10, Mwenezi RDC 5, Zaka RDC 10, Masvingo RDC 11, Masvingo City Council 3, Chiredzi RDC and Chiredzi Town Council have 10 and 2 respectively.
Out of the total 73, CCC has 21 and Zanu-PF got 52 slots.

. . . As 9 CCC councilors submit CVs for the top post

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – Jostling for the position of Masvingo City Mayor has begun with nine out of 10 councilors elected through the ballot during the August 23 harmonized elections are said to be vying for the top post.
All the nine are from main opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and have since submitted their resumes to the party headquarters for consideration.
Those who submitted their resumes are Sabina Chikwangwani (Ward 1), Shantiel Chiwara (Ward 2), Maxwell Madhuna (Ward 3), Alec Tabee (Ward 4), Daniel Mberikunashe (Ward 5), Wilstaff Sitemere (Ward 6), Tafara Masimba (Ward 7), Richard Musekiwa (Ward 8) and Bernard Muchokwa (Ward 9).
TellZim news analyzed these councilors and realized they all possess different qualities, strengths and weaknesses which may work to their advantage, or against in as far as landing the mayoral position is concerned.

Chikwangwani and Chiwara may sail through if the gender card comes to play. These are two greenhorns who have very little experience not only in politics but even working experience. It will be a total disservice to the residents of Masvingo Urban if CCC chooses one of these two to be at the helm for the next five years.
Of course Chiwara has better education qualifications as she is studying for a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), but her record shows that she is very inexperienced politically. In terms of work experience, she worked as a Customer Service Officer at Steward Bank and is now a bank teller at POSB. It is very important to always consider gender in order to empower women and youths but experience should be considered as well.
Sources in CCC party however, told TellZim News that Chiwara has very strong connections at party headquarters and her backers are already working on convincing their president Nelson Chamisa to name her as the party’s preferred candidate for the mayoral position.
“There was chaos in Ward 2’s CCC WhatsApp group when a member announced that Shantiel will be the next mayor for Masvingo City as residents condemned the decision saying she was inexperienced to lead the city. However, people seemed to have been whipped into line and they are now saying if she is the one seconded by the party they will accept her,” said one CCC member from Ward 2.
The Chiwaras seem to have lucky charm or probably they have strong connections in the opposition party because Shantiel’s father once landed a deputy mayor position during 2013-2018 term despite him being the least educated then. Therefore, it is not surprising if Shantiel is seconded by the party, the same manner she became the candidate for the Ward under controversial circumstances. If CCC decides to consider gender balancing then Chikwangwani or Chiwara should battle it out for the deputy mayor position.
Madhuna might have submitted his resume for mere formality because he lacks what it takes to lead the city notwithstanding that he is one of the most loyal opposition members. Madhuna held several positions in MDC led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai before joining CCC during its inception.
Tabe is said to be positioning himself for the top post and sources from CCC said he is also lobbying through some influential national members he is related to. He was in the previous council having won the ticket through the March 26, 2022 by-elections. In terms of educational qualifications, Tabe has a National certificate and a National Diploma in Human Resource Management. He also has a degree in transport and logistics from GZU and several awards. Tabe was also the Provincial Administrator of the MDC-T party during the inclusive government. He has experience in leadership but it is up to the party to then decide.
Mberikunashe is the most sober councilor and it won’t be surprising if his party second him to become the next mayor. His educational qualifications are not impressing as he only has O’ Level passes and Class 1 welding certificate. But in terms of composure and humility, Mberikunashe is the best. Having served two terms in council, Mberikunashe might have the requisite experience and good working relations with the management which might make him the most suitable for the job. His biggest undoing is that it is said he is related to Chamisa and many people may overlook his qualities and allege nepotism.
Ward 6’s Sitemere is another suitable candidate for the mayoral position. Sitemere is known for hardworking during his time as the MDC-T Masvingo provincial chairperson. He worked hard for the party and is well experienced. It will not be surprising if CCC chooses him to be the next mayor of Masvingo. Despite him being generally a short tempered guy, he is very much experienced.

Masimba has been a foot soldier for the party but generally a shy or probably a media-shy man who is hardly visible. Even during campaigns, he mostly used the door to door campaign. He is good as a councilor and giving him the top position might expose him.
Just like Mberikunashe, ward 8 councilor Musekiwa has been in council since 2013 for ward 7 and was only moved to ward 8 because of delimitation. He is quite experienced and is a suitable candidate for the position of mayor. In terms of academics, Musekiwa has a certificate in building and welding and is a business man with a number of businesses in Masvingo.
In ward 9, Muchokwa is one of the new councilors with educational qualifications which are suitable for a mayor. He has a Master’s degree in Business Management, and he is another suitable candidate.
In ward 10, Zanu PF’s Sengerayi Manyanga has ambitions but his undoing is that he is alone and would not have enough votes. Manyanga was one of the most vocal councilors in the previous term, influencing a number of council projects.
Masvingo United Residents and Rate Payers Alliance (MURRA) board Chairperson Thomas Mbetu said the mayor should be a mature person with a sober mind and have experience of how council operates.
“We need a mature person for the position of Mayor. The person should be someone who has experience in council operations and has a sober mind who doesn’t use emotions because there are complex issues at council which doesn’t need a person who is emotional,” said Mbetu.
The outgoing Mayor Collen Maboke said the person who will replace him should be someone who is qualified in terms of academics saying the task ahead requires one to attend national and international meetings which will need someone who is eloquent.
“The mayor should be someone who is better placed in terms of academia; the post requires one to attend high profile meetings both national and international so the mayor should be up to the task to present issues as well as grasping concepts,” said Maboke.
He also said the mayor should be someone who is selfless and ready to sacrifice time and resources as well as having a good social standing.
“To be a mayor one should be selfless and ready to sacrifice. Sometimes you are woken at night to attend to something. Also there is no money as many anticipate, it’s a real sacrifice that one has to make,” said Maboke.
Centre for Gender and Community Development (CGCDZ) Programs Officer Chidaushe Mudadi said it was time for Masvingo to have a female mayor saying one of the councilors has all what it takes considering that she represents youth and women who constitute the bigger population.
“I think we now need a female mayor, of the elected councilors we have a young lady who is educated. She represents women and youths who constitute a bigger number of the population,” said Mudadi.

Bright Zhou

After emerging victorious in the recently held August 23 harmonized elections, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Masvingo Urban ward 3 council elect Maxwell Madhuna has vowed to work with residents to stir development in the area to fulfil his election promises.
Madhuna said he is prepared to work hard to solve problems that residents in his ward are facing as part of fulfilling his pre-election campaign promises.
“I will work tirelessly to satisfy and drive residents’ developmental needs. I am going to mend every problem or difficulty that residents in my ward face,” said Madhuna.
He went on to thank voters for the supporters they gave him saying he will not let them down.
“I am full of joy, so pleased and delighted that I have won the election, I want to thank the electorate for trusting me,” he said.
Madhuna shrugged off competition from Taurai Mudzwiti of Zanu PF, Vhikayi Emelly (MDC-T) and Zvirevo Pedzisai (ZZPP).
Out of the 2 664 total valid votes, Madhuna got 1 686 followed by Mudzwiti with 946 and Vhikayi got 25 and Pedzisai came out last with only 7.